Chapter 66: 67
Dan's POV
"I don't want to go back to my past"
"How did you meet your mate?, I've not had a mate and I don't know why but I feel like knowing how you found yours"
"After our first meeting this transpired between me and my pack members" I divulged,
(FLASHBACK)
DAN'S POV
As I made my way back to the pack, the forest's scent clung to me, mixing with Elena's earthy, musky fragrance. Our first encounter was just purely coincidence, but I couldn't resist the desire to see her again. Unfortunately, Talon interrupted our moment together, acting like a child unwilling to share his favorite toy. It's quite pitiable how he pines for a girl who doesn't reciprocate his feelings.
I don't blame him for his behavior though. He grew up as the favored child of our parents, constantly receiving praise, which boosted his ego. In contrast, I was the family's troublemaker, often seen as the black sheep and always does everything wrong.
Over time, I grew immune to their judgments, focusing on my own circle of friends, who were more like my chosen family. I cherished them above all else, knowing I wouldn't trade them for anything.
They've stood by me through countless challenges I had no idea how to overcome. Now, as I covertly sought out her knowledge, the realization that she was my enemy weighed heavily on me, making it feel like a betrayal to them my family.
But, I couldn't shake the persistent pull of my thoughts towards Elena. Her presence had undeniably brought warmth and comfort into my life. She was like a ray of sunshine in my dark world. Her smile, the spark in her eyes, and the way she glances at me when she thinks I wasn't looking were etched in my mind. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't forget her. I knew I should forget about her, considering she was betrothed to my brother.
But that wasn't possible because an irresistible magnetic pull kept drawing me back to her.
As I entered the clearing where my friends gathered, feeling the eyes of my fellow werewolves on me. James, the mischievous one in our group that loves causing chaos wherever he went because it made him feel fulfilled like he had said multiple times, took one whiff of the air and his nostrils flared. He stared at me, suspicion darkening his gaze.
"What's that scent, Dan?" he asked, his voice tinged with a challenging undertone. My Alpha instincts flared briefly, but I saw no reason to escalate things. He was merely asking due to his suspicion of my recent whereabouts. James harbored a strong dislike for the Shadowood pack, because they were known for their arrogance and occasional ruthlessness which made them a force to be reckoned with.
They believed themselves superior to others, a selfish trait I found disheartening. Surprisingly, Elena, a member of that same pack, differed from her peers. Perhaps that's why I felt such a strong connection to her; I saw a reflection of myself in her.
"Are you going to answer my question?" James inquired with a frown forming on his face.
"I don't have to if I don't want to, James. Stop pestering me and eat your food," I retorted as I took a seat beside Orion.
"You were with that girl from the Shadowood pack? I think that bitch's name was Emma or something like that," James remarked, and I felt myself starting to get worked up over what he called her. Elena definitely didn't deserve to be called a bitch because she was far from it.
"Her name is Elena, and don't use that word. What did she ever do to you?" I asked as the campfire went quiet.
"I was right; you were with her. And she didn't have to do anything to me. She's part of that pack, which makes them all the same and our enemies," James added.
"James, please, I'm not in the mood to argue with you," I told him firmly. However, the intensity in his gaze suggested he wasn't finished discussing this matter.
"Ever since you met her, you've been acting strangely, and it's bothering me," James explained.
"I don't owe you an explanation for my actions, especially when it comes to Elena. What I do or say to her is none of your concern. I know what I'm doing," I replied with determination, but James remained skeptical.
"Are you absolutely sure? Because it doesn't appear that way," James challenged, and a tense hush settled over the pack. It was evident that James and I were on the verge of a confrontation that could escalate quickly unless he stopped questioning me.
As the tension thickened in the air, I took a deep breath, trying to keep my composure. The pack members watched, their allegiances divided, unsure of which side to take in this brewing conflict. I met James's eyes, my voice measured but resolute. "James, I respect your concern for the pack, but I need you to trust my judgment. What's happening between Elena and me is complex, and I'm handling it the best way I can. We don't need discord among us."
James hesitated, his expression still doubtful. He glanced around at the pack, gauging their reactions. The silence was palpable, a weighty reminder of the potential consequences of this disagreement.
"Then you won't have an issue with me killing that spoiled bitch, right?" James remarked with a venomous tone. My anger surged, but I struggled to restrain myself. This was the second time he had shown disrespect towards Elena, and I didn't know if I could hold back if he did it a third time.
Before I could respond, Marcus, the voice of reason among us, stepped between James and me.
"Enough," Marcus's voice thundered, echoing through the clearing. "This is neither the time nor the place for this argument. Dan, we'll discuss this later. James, you need to shut the fuck up and stop questioning him in front of the pack."
"But..." James attempted to protest, but Marcus silenced him by raising his hands in the air.
"I said, 'shut up!'" Marcus shouted, and James immediately fell silent saying nothing more, as I stared at him my rage kept flaring up so it was best to leave.
"I'm heading off, see you all later," I said. With one last look at James, I walked out of the clearing, hearing whispers as I made my way.
Soon, I heard footsteps behind me, and I recognized the scent of Marcus. He was the only one who could calm me down after the incident with James. The Alpha in me wanted to return and teach James a lesson, but he was my friend even if he acted like a damn fool sometimes.
"What do you want, Marcus? I'm in no mood to fight or talk," I said, taking a seat on the nearest elevated rock.
"Then listen," Marcus said, joining me. "You know James is right; you've been acting strangely ever since you met that girl. What's going on?"
"Drop it, Marcus."
Marcus sighed, his concern evident in his eyes. "Look, I get it. We're friends, and you don't have to tell me everything. But something's changed in you, and it's affecting the pack. We need you at your best."
I stared off into the distance, conflicted. "It's complicated, Marcus. There is something about her, and I can't explain what this connection is. It's like something's pulling me towards her, and I can't resist the urge to look for her."
"I see," Marcus pondered, his words making me consider the possibility. "Do you think she might be your mate?"
As his question hung in the air, a realization slowly crept into my mind. Could it be true? Was Elena my mate? It would certainly explain this overwhelming urge to protect her, to keep her close. But there was a bitter truth I couldn't ignore – she hailed from an enemy pack. The thought gnawed at me. The moon goddess couldn't be so cruel as to bind me to the very person I'd spent my life opposing.
"It's not possible. She can't be my mate," I uttered, my gaze fixed on Marcus, who wore a strange expression.
"That's the only reasonable explanation for your sudden change of feelings toward a member of the Shadowood pack, Dan you used to hate being in the same room as them but now you're defending their princess'' Marcus added.
I couldn't deny that his words held a kernel of truth. If Elena truly was my mate, things had just become far more complicated.
As Marcus and I sat there, the weight of his words hung heavy in the air. The idea that Elena could be my mate was unsettling, yet it explained the inexplicable pull I felt toward her.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "But what do I do now? What does this mean for us, for the pack? She is the enemy Marcus they would never accept her"
"We'll figure it out together. The bond between mates is powerful, and it's a rare gift. You're not alone in this, and I'm sure the pack will understand, the moon goddess must have had a reason to join you two together and we can't stand in the way of what she decides."
I nodded in appreciation of his support. "I need to talk to Elena about this. She deserves to know." With that decision made, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and anxiety about what lay ahead.